History Extra podcast Princes in the Tower: could this new discovery solve the mystery?
Dec 3, 2024
Join Professor Tim Thornton, a historian who recently made a groundbreaking discovery related to the Princes in the Tower, and Dr. Tracy Borman, who presents a documentary on this haunting mystery. They delve into the historical narratives surrounding the princes' disappearance in 1483 and the influence of Richard III. Thornton discusses the implications of a newly found gold chain linked to Edward V, potentially tied to a suspected killer's relative, bringing fresh evidence to this age-old enigma.
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The Vanishing of the Princes
- The Princes in the Tower, young sons of Edward IV, vanished in 1483 after their uncle, Richard of Gloucester, became Lord Protector.
- Their assumed murder fueled Richard's villainous image, cemented by the later discovery of children's bones.
A New Historical Approach
- Professor Tim Thornton's research focuses on the narrative's evolution after 1483, challenging the traditional approach of examining preceding events.
- He analyzes Thomas More's account, which blames Sir James Tyrrell for the murders, under suspicion of being Tudor propaganda.
Real People, Real Connections
- Thornton's research reveals that Miles Forrest and John Dighton, named as killers by More, were real people connected to the royal court.
- More's messenger, Miles Forrest Jr., was the son of the alleged murderer, suggesting a deeper connection to the story.